National parks of Russia today exist throughout the vast territory of the country, beginning with the subtropics and ending with the Arctic Circle, in all its subjects. And although for our country this is a relatively young form of protected areas - objects that are protected by the state, however, they began their existence under the USSR, in the 1970s.
Their total number reaches 101, and the area on which the reserves and national parks of Russia are located extends over almost 350,000 square kilometers.
The very first state reserve is officially considered Barguzinsky, although according to some information back in 1917 Sayansky was created, but not documented, which today no longer exists.
National parks of Russia are environmental research territories, they include those objects and complexes that have aesthetic, environmental and historical value. They are intended for use both for environmental and educational purposes, and for the regulation of tourism. Water, land, flora, animals living on the territory - everything, according to federal laws, is transferred to the use of the park.
For a very long time, up to the year 2000, the national parks of Russia were subordinate to forest departments. And only after their abolition did they re-submit to the Department of Protected Areas.
In the classical view, national parks in Russia have the opportunity for functional zoning of the territory, that is, in their space you can carry out economic activities, such as sparing forest management and agricultural, as well as organize ecotourism. A lot of people today prefer to leave far from the hustle and bustle of cities in order to find themselves in nature, improve their health and restore strength. Moreover, they can expand their horizons, get acquainted with the culture and history of the area.
In order to more fully imagine what the national parks of Russia are, let’s dwell on some of them.
Valdai is a national park located on the territory of a unique complex of lakes and forests on the Valdai Upland. It includes, in addition to 70 others, the main treasure - Lake Seliger, in shape resembling an orchid flower. Among the many wooded islands is the Iversky Monastery, which is a favorite place for tourists and pilgrims.
Founded in 1987, the Curonian Spit Park annually hosts up to eight thousand tourists who are attracted by fresh, invigorating sea air and the scent of a pine forest. The park has a sea beach with a dune protective rampart, which is washed by the waters of the Baltic and the Curonian Lagoon. There is an opportunity for windsurfing, yachting, and a walk along the old village streets will create an atmosphere of peace and relaxation in your soul. Hanging nets everywhere and the smell of smoked fish will give the walk a special touch.
National parks of Russia are rich in flora and fauna. Among them, the Russian North is quite famous for its amazing beauty, where more than 60 species of plants listed in the Red Book grow. There are as many as four monuments of Russian architecture - the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery on the banks of the picturesque Lake Sivers, the Ferapontov Monastery, where there are frescoes of the great icon painter Dionysius, the Goritsky Nunnery and the Nilo-Sorsk Desert - the first in Russia.
The natural pearl of Karelia is the Paanajärvi National Park, which, in fact, is a country of lakes. The beauty of the park was almost untouched by civilization, everywhere north-taiga spruce and birch forests, waterfalls and breathtaking landscapes.
No less famous are the Karelian “Kalevala”, “Kandalaksha” and “Kivach”, the Arkhangelsk “Kenozersky”, etc., where you can see the pristine nature, historical monuments, combining all this with ecological rest.